Salacia chinensis Linn. (Syn. S. prinoides DC.) is a woody climbing shrub, an endangered medicinal plant naturally found in tropical Africa, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, Thailand and southern regions of India. A large number of biological active compounds such as salacinol, kotalanol, neokotalanol, neosalacinol, salasol and mangiferin have been isolated from S. chinensis which show various medicinal properties. The different parts and water extraction of the whole plant have been extensively used in Ayurvedic system of Indian traditional medicine and countries in Southwest Asia to treat a variety of ailments. Although the treatment of diabetes is the main studied pharmacological activity of S. chinensis, but recent studies have demonstrated the anti-inflamatory, nephroprotective, anticancer and treatment of cardiac disorders as the other important bioactivities of this medicinal plant. The present paper reviewed phytomorphology, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of S. chinensis comprehensively and gives an overview on its safety evaluation.
